A
Palestinian is carried into al-Aqsa Martys Hospital in the central Gaza Strip
town of Deir al-Balah, as he was wounded by Israeli troops, 22 March 2010
Israeli Occupation
Forces (IOF) Continue Systematic Attacks against Palestinian Civilians and
Property in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)
· 4
Palestinian civilians, including a child, were killed by IOF in the West Bank.
· IOF
used excessive forced against peaceful Palestinian demonstrations in the West
Bank.
· 16
Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, and two Israeli peace activists were
wounded by Israeli gunfire.
· Israeli
warplanes bombarded a number of civilian targets in the Gaza Strip.
· 22
Palestinian civilians, including 4 children and a woman, were wounded.
· 3
houses belonging to Palestinians were damaged by Israeli fire.
· IOF
continued to fire at Palestinian farmers and workers in border areas of the
Gaza Strip.
· IOF
conducted 10 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and 3
incursions into the Gaza Strip.
· IOF
arrested 32 Palestinian civilians, including 9 children, two women and two
journalists, in the West Bank, and 22 Palestinian workers, including 4
children, in the Gaza Strip.
· Israel
has continued to impose a total siege on the OPT and has isolated the Gaza
Strip from the outside world.
· Israeli
troops stationed at military checkpoints in the West Bank arrested at least 6
Palestinian civilians, including a child and a woman.
· Israel
has continued its settlement activities in the West Bank and Israeli settlers
have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
· The
Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem approved the construction of 20 housing units
for settlers in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah.
· IOF
confiscated 49 donums of land in Bitounia, west of Ramallah.
· Israeli
settlers uprooted 35 olive trees in Qaryout village, southeast of Nablus.
Summary
Israeli violations of
international law and humanitarian law continued in the OPT during the reporting
period (18 – 24 March 2010):
Shootings: During
the reporting period, IOF killed 4 Palestinian civilians, including a child, in
the West Bank, and wounded 38 Palestinians, including 7 children and a woman,
as well as two Israeli peace activists in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
On 20 March 2010, IOF
killed two Palestinian civilians, including a child, in cold blood in Iraq
Bourin village, south of Nablus. IOF intentionally fired at the two
civilians from a close range.
Less than 24 hours later, IOF shot dead
two Palestinian civilians from ‘Awarta village, southeast of Nablus, while they
were farming their land.
During the
reporting period, 16 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, and two
Israeli peace activists, were wounded when IOF used excessive force against
peaceful demonstrations organized in protest of the construction of the
Annexation Wall and settlement activities in the West Bank.
In the Gaza Strip, 22 Palestinian civilians,
including 4 children and a woman, were wounded, when Israeli warplanes
bombarded civilian targets and Israeli troops fired at workers and farmers near
the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.
Incursions: During
the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 10 military incursions into
Palestinian communities in the West Bank. IOF arrested 19 Palestinian civilians,
including 7 children and a woman.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 3 limited incursions
into Palestinian areas, during which they leveled areas of land that they had
previously razed, and arrested 22 Palestinian workers, including 4 minors.
Restrictions
on Movement: IOF have continued to
impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the
movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank,
including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings
to the Gaza Strip for over two and a half years. The illegal Israeli-imposed
siege of Gaza, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a
disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
· On
Friday, 01 January 2010, IOF decided to close Nahal Ouz crossing permanently,
and to allow the entry of fuels through Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing,
southeast of Rafah, claiming security reasons.
· 1.5
million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of
movement, and their rights to appropriate living conditions, work, health and
education.
· The
main concern of the population of the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs
of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.
· Israel
has continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza
Strip for more than two and a half years.
· Israel
has not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip, excluding limited amounts of
cooking gas and energy fuel for Gaza Power Plant, since 10 December 2008.
· The
Rafah International Crossing Point has been opened for a few days for a number
of patients who received medical treatment abroad and needed to return home to
the Gaza Strip.
· Israel
had continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians
wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or
social visits.
· Israel
has imposed additional restrictions on access of international diplomats,
journalists and humanitarian workers to the Gaza Strip. They have prevented
representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from
entering the Gaza Strip.
· Living
conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated;
levels of poverty and unemployment have mounted sharply.
· At
least 800 Gazan prisoners in Israeli jails have been deprived of family visitation
for more than two and a half years.
· IOF
have continued to attack Palestinian fishermen along the coast of the Gaza
Strip.
West Bank
IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on
the movement of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank, including
occupied East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinian civilians from the West Bank
and the Gaza Strip continue to be denied access to Jerusalem.
· IOF
have established checkpoints in and around Jerusalem, severely restricting
Palestinian access to the city. Civilians are frequently prevented from praying
at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
· There
are approximately 630 permanent roadblocks, manned and unmanned checkpoints
across the West Bank. In addition, there are some 60 – 80 ‘flying’ or temporary
checkpoints erected across the West Bank by IOF every week.
· When
complete, the illegal Annexation Wall will stretch for 724 kilometers
around the West Bank, further isolating the entire population. 350 kilometers of
the Wall have already been constructed. Approximately 99% of the Wall has been
constructed inside the West Bank itself, further confiscating Palestinian land.
· At
least 65% of the main roads that lead to 18 Palestinian communities in the West
Bank are closed or fully controlled by IOF (47 out of 72 roads).
· There
are around 500
kilometers of restricted roads across the West Bank. In
addition, approximately one third of the West Bank, including occupied East
Jerusalem, is inaccessible to Palestinians without a permit issued by the IOF.
These permits are extremely difficult to obtain.
· IOF
continue to harass, and assault demonstrators who hold peaceful protests
against the construction of the Annexation Wall.
· Palestinian
civilians continue to be harassed by IOF in Jerusalem, and across the West Bank,
including being regularly stopped and searched in the streets by IOF.
Settlement Activities: Israel has continued its settlement activities and Israeli settlers living in the OPT in violation of international
humanitarian law have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and property.
On 18 March 2010, the Israeli Municipality of
Jerusalem approved a construction plan in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of
Sheikh Jarrah. According to Israeli
radio sources, licenses were issued for the construction of 20 housing units
for settlers.
Also on 18 March 2010, a number of Israeli
settlers from “Elli” settlement uprooted 25 olive trees in Qaryout
village, southeast of Nablus.
On 19 March 2010, a number of Israeli settlers from
“Beit ‘Ain” settlement, north of Hebron, attempted to burn wooded
areas in Safa village. A number of trees
were burnt, but locals were eventually able to extinguish the fire.
On 21 March 2010, the Israeli daily Ha’aretz reported
that the IOF have declared a plan to seize 49.2 donums of land in the town of
Bitounia, west of Ramallah, to implement new security arrangements on road #443
before opening it to Palestinian movement two months and a half later. IOF plan to establish a checkpoint at Ofer
crossing, west of Ramallah, and Palestinian vehicles will be allowed to travel
on road #443 between Macavim checkpoint and the new checkpoint, in accordance
with an Israeli High Court ruling.
On 23 March 2010, Israeli settlers from
“Elli”, “Shilo” and “Ma’ale Levoni” settlements
attacked dozens of Palestinian farmers in Senjel village, north of Ramallah,
and prevented them from farming on their lands. The settlers threw stones at the farmers and attempted to take over a
number of tractors. IOF arrived at the
area and closed it off.
Israeli Violations
Documented during the Reporting Period (18 – 24 March 2010)
1. Incursions into Palestinian Areas and Attacks on Palestinian Civilians
and Property in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
Thursday,
18 March 2010
· At
approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beita village, southeast of Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses
and arrested 3 Palestinian children:
1. Ahmed ‘Aaref Hamayel, 16;
2. Laith Saleh Hamayel, 17; and
3. Maher Fawzi Hamayel, 17.
· At
approximately 11:30, Israeli troops stationed at the border between the Gaza
Strip and Israel, to the east of ‘Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis, opened
fire at a peaceful demonstration organized by Palestinian civilians in protest
to the establishment of a security fence and ‘buffer zone’ along the
border. No casualties were reported.
Friday, 19 March 2010
· At
approximately 01:00, Israeli warplanes fired five missiles at Saladin Gate,
Yebna refugee camp and Block J, all of which are located in the south of Rafah,
near the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, allegedly to destroy
tunnels. As a result of the strike, Bader ‘Oudet Allah al-Sha’er, 32, was
wounded by shrapnel to the face and Salem Hamdan al-Sha’er, 48, sustained a
fracture in the right foot. The wounded persons are workers in the tunnels
below the Gaza-Egypt border.
· At
approximately 01:25, Israeli F-16 fighter jets dropped a bomb on a farm in the
east of ‘Abasan village, east of Khan Yunis. No casualties or material
damage were reported. The Israeli radio claimed that the Israeli Air
Force had targeted a tunnel established for infiltration into Israel.
· At
approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to
activists of the Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements. They threatened those activists of
detention. No arrests were
reported.
· At
approximately 02:30, IOF moved into al-Fawar refugee camp, south of
Hebron. They raided and searched a
number of houses and arrested Waleed Fayez al-Wawi, 16.
· At
approximately 22:20, Israeli warplanes fired four missiles at Gaza
International Airport, southeast of Rafah. Thirteen Palestinian civilians,
including two children, were wounded as a result. The wounded civilians,
who are all residents of Rafah, were collecting raw aggregate from the
destroyed runway of the Airport. They
are:
1. Hazem Salman Abu Sitta, 24, seriously
wounded by shrapnel to the chest and the back;
2. Mohammed Ahmed al-‘Assar, 18, seriously
wounded by shrapnel to the right elbow;
3. Mo’men Ahmed al-Debari, 15, seriously
wounded by shrapnel to the right hand;
4. ‘Areef Tarrash Rabee’, 41, seriously
wounded by shrapnel to the head;
5. ‘Abdul Rahman Mohammed Abu Shalhoub,
22, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the head;
6. Mohammed ‘Aatef Abu Hussein, 20,
seriously wounded by shrapnel to the head;
7. ‘Alaa’ ‘Areef Rabee’, 20, wounded by
shrapnel to the right forearm;
8. Na’el Riad Abu Tailakh, 20, wounded by
shrapnel to the pelvis;
9. Suleiman Nabeel Mansour, 18, shocked;
10. Mohammed Hammad Abu Leila, 20, shocked;
11. Hussam Suleiman Abu Sitta, 23,
sustained a fracture to the right elbow;
12. Mahmoud Mohammed Abu Shalhoub, 20,
sustained a fracture to the right leg; and
13. ‘Abdullah Hammad Hussein, 24, sustained
bruises to the right elbow and knee.
Saturday, 20 March 2010
· At
approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Qalandiya refugee camp, south of
Ramallah. They raided and searched a
number of houses and arrested Mo’tassem Ra’ed Mezher, 17.
· At
approximately 11:30, IOF moved into the east of Iraq Borin village, south of
Nablus. A number of Palestinian boys gathered and threw stones at Israeli
soldiers, who immediately responded by firing, but no casualties were
reported. The Palestinian boys withdrew into the village, while IOF took
position in the east of the village. At approximately 15:00, a Palestinian
civilian Ford transit minibus, driven by Zakareya ‘Adel Qadous, arrived in the
village from Nablus. In the meanwhile, Israeli soldiers were positioning
themselves approximately 30
meters to the east of the intersection of Iraq Borin
village and exited their jeeps. The driver drove to the western entrance
to the village. Approximately 100 meters from the intersection, in front of
the mosque of the village, the driver found out that there were burning tires
and that the street was closed. He stopped and Mohammed Ibrahim Abdul
Qader Qadous, 16, and Usaid Abdul Naser Qadous, 20, stepped out of the
minibus. As the driver turned around to travel back to Nablus, Israeli
soldiers opened fire at Mohammed, who was wounded by a bullet to the heart, and
Usaid who was wounded by a bullet to the head. A number of young
Palestinians who were at the scene carried the two wounded persons back into
the minibus. After the minibus drove for approximately 20 meters, Israeli
military jeeps tried to stop it, but the driver managed to pass them and reach
Nablus Specialized Hospital. Mohammed was dead upon arrival at the
hospital, while Usaid underwent a prolonged surgery, but was pronounced dead on
Sunday morning, 21 March 2010. Usaid was student at an-Najah National
University in Nablus.
· At
approximately 14:30, an Israeli infantry unit moved nearly 900 meters into the
northern Gaza Strip. Israeli troops
chased a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting bricks and aggregate
from the debris of the destroyed industrial zone. A number of workers were able to flee, but
Israeli troops arrested 17 others, including 4 children, and confiscated 4
animal carts. At approximately 02:00 on
the following day, IOF released 15 detainees, but kept the other two in
custody: Mohammed Sayed al-Basyouni, 22;
and ‘Ali Jamal Kharawat, 23.
Sunday, 21 March 2010
· At
approximately 12:05 on Sunday, 21 March 2010, the Palestine Red Crescent
Society (PRCS) in Nablus was informed by the Israeli Military Liaison that
there were two bodies belonging to Palestinians who were killed by Israeli
troops near ‘Awarta village, southeast of Nablus. A PRCS ambulance drove
to the reported scene. Ahmed Jebril, the driver, and Jamal Husni Abu
Hamda, a paramedic, were in the ambulance. A vehicle belonging to the
Israeli Military Liaison was waiting near Huwarra checkpoint at the southern
entrance of Nablus to direct the ambulance to the bodies. The ambulance
followed the military vehicle that drove towards the east of ‘Awarta village on
the ‘Aqraba – Yanoun road. The military vehicle stopped near an area of
land planted with olives, approximately seven kilometers from the
village. As the ambulance arrived, Jebril and Abu Hamda saw two
bodies. The bodies were lying by the two sides of the road and there was a
distance of 10-15 meters
between them. They were covered with blankets used by the
IOF. Israeli soldiers who were at the scene allowed the paramedics to
examine the two bodies. Both bodies exhibited several wounds all over.
Abu Hamda saw two small hoes and a Pepsi Cola in a plastic bag with one
of the soldiers. The two bodies were carried to the ambulance that drove
to ‘Awarta commercial checkpoint to return to Nablus. Residents of ‘Awarta
village who gathered near the checkpoint identified the two victims as:
Mohammed Faisal Mahmoud Qawariq, 20; and Salah Mohammed Kamel Qawariq, 19, both
from ‘Awarta village.
The two bodies were transferred to Rafidya Hospital
in Nablus. Dr. Abdul Karim Hashash, who examined the bodies, told a PCHR
fieldworker that Mohammed Qawariq was hit by four bullets to the chest (with
entrances and exits), one to the bottom of the abdomen and two to the left
thigh and leg. He also sustained fractures and burns on his left
leg. This indicates that he was shot from a close range. Salah
Qawarir was hit by a bullet that entered the chest and exited from the back,
another one to the right arm (with a entrance and an exit) and a third one that
entered the back and exited the top of the chest. Abu Hamda stated that
the nature of the wounds sustained by the two Palestinians, their clothes and
the items he saw with the soldier indicated that the two Palestinians has been
farming on their land.
Monday, 22 March 2010
· At
approximately 01:30, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at al-Shouka village
near Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border, south of Rafah,
allegedly to destroy a tunnel. The targeted tunnel was set on fire as a
result, but no casualties were reported.
· At
approximately 02:00, IOF moved into al-Jenan neighborhood of al-Bireh. They raided and searched a house belonging to
Jamal al-Sheikh, but no arrests were reported.
· At
approximately 10:00, Israeli troops stationed on observation towers at the
border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at a number of Palestinian
workers who were collecting bricks from the rubble of destroyed buildings in
the industrial zone in the northern Gaza Strip. The workers escaped and no casualties were reported.
· At
approximately 20:30, Israeli troops stationed at the border between the Gaza
Strip and Israel to the east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip opened
fire at Palestinian lands near the border. As a result, Suleiman Mahmoud Braim, 34, was wounded by shrapnel to the
ear, when he was near his house approximately 500 from the border.
· At
approximately 23:50, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at an area belonging
to Ussama Zimmu in al-Sha’af neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. A number of nearby houses were damaged and 8
Palestinian civilians, including two children and a woman, were lightly injured
by glass shards:
1. Khawla Jihad al-Kahlout, 28;
2. Alaa’ Sa’ed Kareem, 16;
3. Ruba Sa’ed Kareem, 12;
4. Yasser Na’im Hijazi, 25;
5. ‘Abed Anees Marzouq, 62;
6. Akram al-Fayoumi, 21;
7. Nahidh Khalil Abu ‘Amsha, 45; and
8. Mohammed Nahidh Abu ‘Amsha, 19.
Tuesday, 23
March 2010
· At
approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-Fara’a refugee camp, south of
Tubas. They raided and searched a number
of houses and arrested Mohammed Jamal Tayeh, 21.
· At
approximately 09:30, IOF moved approximately 100 meters into the
industrial zone to the southwest of Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the northern
Gaza Strip. They leveled areas of land
that they had previously razed.
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
· At
approximately 01:05, Israeli warplanes fired two missiles that landed in a
garden of a house in the Riad al-Saleheen area of Jabalya refugee camp in the
northern Gaza Strip. The home, in which 10 people live, belongs to Mustafa
Khalil Mustafa. Mustafa’s house and two neighboring homes were damaged: A house
belonging to Nidal Sa’ad al-Kurdi, in which 10 people live; and a house
belonging to Khalil and Rafeeq Yousef Rab’a, in which 12 people live. No casualties were reported.
· At
approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses
and arrested Bassel Faisal al-Darabee’, 15.
· At
approximately 07:00, an Israeli infantry unit moved nearly 800 meters into the
northern Gaza Strip. Israeli troops
chased a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting raw construction
materials, and arrested 5 of them, including: Mahmoud Mohammed Ma’rouf, 17;
Shadi ‘Ammar Ma’rouf, 17; and Mustafa Ghanem, 43.
2. Use of Excessive Force against
Peaceful Demonstrations
IOF have continued to
construct the Annexation Wall and inside West Bank territory. During the
reporting period, IOF used force against peaceful demonstrations organized by
Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders in
protest of the construction of the Wall and the ongoing settlement
activities. At least 20 Palestinian
civilians, including two children, were wounded, and others sustained bruises
or suffered from tear gas inhalation.
· Following
the Friday Prayer on 19 March 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and
international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful
demonstration in protest of the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bil’ein
village, west of Ramallah. The
demonstrators moved towards the Wall and attempted to access annexed lands
behind it. Immediately, Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound
bombs and tear gas canisters at the demonstrators. As a result, dozens of demonstrators suffered
from tear gas inhalation, and some of them sustained bruises.
· Also
at noon on Friday, 19 March 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and
international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful
demonstration in Ne’lin village, west of Ramallah, in protest of the
construction of the Annexation Wall. They clashed with IOF troops positioned near the Wall. IOF troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets,
sound bombs and tear gas canisters at demonstrators. Dozens of demonstrators suffered from tear
gas inhalation, and others sustained bruises.
· Also
following the Friday Prayer on 19 March 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians
and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful
demonstration in protest against land confiscation in the Wad al-Raya area
between the villages of Nabi Saleh and Deir Nizam, northwest of Ramallah. When the demonstrators attempted to reach
areas of land seized by Israeli settlers near “Halmish” settlement,
Israeli troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas
canisters at them. As a result, 11
demonstrators, including two children and two Israeli human rights defenders,
were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets, and another one was hit by tear
gas canisters:
1. ‘Abdul Hafiz Mahmoud al-Tamimi, 29, wounded
on the right hand;
2. Ra’fat Mahmoud ‘Arar, 15, wounded in
the face;
3. Ra’ed ‘Ali Salem, 27, wounded on the
right hand;
4. Marwan ‘Abdul Karim al-Tamimi, 43,
wounded on the right hand;
5. Doudi, 25, an Israeli human rights
defender, wounded on the left hand;
6. Elli Shik, 22, an Israeli human rights
defender, wounded on the left leg;
7. ‘Ali Nemer Salem, 56, wounded on the
left hand;
8. Nabeel ‘Abdul Basset al-Tamimi, 22,
wounded on the right leg;
9. Ahmed Jamal al-Tamimi, 65, wounded on
the chest;
10. Saber Nazir al-Tamimi, 17, wounded on
the left leg;
11. Ra’ed Munther Hamed, 20, hit by a tear
gas canister to the back; and
12. Huthaifa Fadel Yahia, 19, wounded on
the back.
Dozens of demonstrators also suffered from tear gas
inhalation, and others sustained bruises.
· Also
following the Friday Prayer on 19 March 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians
and international and Israel human rights defenders and peace activists
organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of Budros village, west of
Ramallah. They moved towards the
Annexation Wall. Immediately, Israeli
troops fired rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters and sound bombs,
and beat a number of demonstrators. As a
result, Mohammed Mansour Yousef, 20, was wounded by a rubber-coated metal
bullet to the left hand. A number of
other demonstrators sustained bruises or suffered from tear gas
inhalation. IOF also detained 3
Palestinian civilians, including two journalists, for more than 3 hours:
Sa’adat Sha’ban ‘Awadh, 27; Haroun Yousef ‘Amaira, 26, a reporter for Palestine
Television; and Najeeballah Hassan Sharwana, 21, a cameraman for Palestine
Television.
· Also
following the Friday Prayer on 19 March 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians
organized a demonstration near Qalandiya checkpoint, south of Ramallah. They set fire to tires and threw stones and
empty bottles at Israeli troops stationed at the checkpoint. Immediately, Israeli troops fired at the
demonstrators. As a result, 3
Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded:
1. Baraa’ Mohammed al-Qadhi, 17, wounded
by a rubber-coated metal bullet to the chest;
2. Ra’ed Zuhair ‘Eissa, 32, wounded by a
rubber-coated metal bullet to the left leg; and
3. Farhan Sa’ada, 18, wounded by a
rubber-coated metal bullet to the back.
Israeli troops also arrested Mohammed ‘Ali ‘Ali, 16.
3. Continued Siege on the OPT
Israel has continued to impose a tightened siege on
the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings
to the Gaza Strip for more than two and a half years. The illegal Israeli-imposed
siege of Gaza, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a
disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip.
· On
Friday, 01 January 2010, IOF decided to close Nahal Ouz crossing permanently,
and to allow the entry of fuels through Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing,
southeast of Rafah, claiming security reasons.
· 1.5
million people are being denied their basic rights, including freedom of
movement, and their rights to appropriate living conditions, work, health and
education.
· The
main concern of the population of the Gaza Strip is to obtain their basic needs
of food, medicines, water and electricity supplies.
· Israel
has continued to prevent the entry of raw construction materials into the Gaza
Strip for more than two and a half years.
· Israel
has not allowed fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip, excluding limited amounts of
cooking gas and energy fuel for Gaza Power Plant, since 10 December 2008.
· The
Rafah International Crossing Point has been opened for a few days for a number
of patients who received medical treatment abroad and needed to return home to
the Gaza Strip.
· Israel
had continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to Palestinian civilians
wishing to travel to the West Bank and Israeli for medical treatment, trade or
social visits.
· Israel
has imposed additional restrictions on access of international diplomats,
journalists and humanitarian workers to the Gaza Strip. They have prevented
representatives of several international humanitarian organizations from
entering the Gaza Strip.
· Living
conditions of the Palestinian civilian population have seriously deteriorated;
levels of poverty and unemployment have mounted sharply.
· At
least 800 Gazan prisoners in Israeli jails have been deprived of family
visitation for more than two and a half years.
· IOF
have continued to attack Palestinian fishermen along the coast of the Gaza
Strip.
Movement at Border Crossings during the Reporting
Period:
Movement
at Rafah International Crossing Point
17 –
23 March 2010
Date |
Details |
17 March 2010 |
3 Palestinians were allowed to travel |
18 March 2010 |
16 Palestinians were allowed to travel |
19 March 2010 |
One Palestinian was allowed to travel |
20 March 2010 |
6 Palestinians were allowed to travel |
21 March 2010 |
One Palestinian and the body of a |
22 March 2010 |
Closed. |
23 March 2010 |
6 Palestinians were allowed to travel |
Movement
at Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
17 –
23 March 2010
Date |
Imports |
Exports |
|||
Category |
Amount |
Category |
Amount |
||
Tons |
Liters |
||||
17 March 2010 |
Foodstuffs |
377 |
|
Flowers |
562,000 |
Agricultural materials |
135 |
|
|||
Various goods |
2,248 |
|
|||
Cooking gas |
183 |
|
|||
Industrial fuel |
|
223,000 |
|||
Humanitarian aids |
541 |
|
|||
18 March 2010 |
Foodstuffs |
468 |
|
Flowers |
473,000 |
Agricultural materials |
261 |
|
|||
Various goods |
2,867 |
|
|||
Cooking gas |
187 |
|
|||
Industrial fuel |
|
223,000 |
|||
Humanitarian aids |
446 |
|
|||
21 March 2010 |
Foodstuffs |
444 |
|
Flowers |
242,000 |
Agricultural materials |
172 |
|
|||
Various goods |
454 |
|
|||
Cooking gas |
154 |
|
|||
Industrial fuel |
|
223,000 |
|||
Humanitarian aids |
402 |
|
|||
22 March 2010 |
Foodstuffs |
524 |
|
Cleaning soft tissues |
95 tons |
Agricultural materials |
226 |
|
|||
Various goods |
146 |
|
|||
Cooking gas |
201 |
|
|||
Industrial fuel |
|
223,000 |
|||
Humanitarian aids |
451 |
|
|||
23 March 2010 |
Foodstuffs |
419 |
|
Flowers |
324,000 |
Agricultural materials |
157 |
|
|||
Various goods |
2,006 |
|
|||
Cooking gas |
202 |
|
|||
Industrial fuel |
|
223,000 |
|||
Humanitarian aids |
471 |
|
Al-Mentar
(Karni) Crossing: Israel partially
opened the crossing on Thursday, 18 March 2010, and allowed the entry of 2,535
tons of wheat and 1,91 tons of fodders. They opened it again on Monday, 22 March 2010, and allowed the entry of
2,067 tons of wheat and 1,599 tons of fodders.
Beit
Hanoun (Erez) Crossing: Israel has
continued to close Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the movement of Palestinian
civilians. IOF have allowed only diplomats, a number of international
journalists, employees of international agencies and a limited number of
patients who suffer from serious diseases to pass through the crossing. They
have continued to prevent Palestinian civilians from visiting their relatives
who are detained in Israeli jails. The small number of patients permitted to
pass through the crossing is only able to do so under severe restrictions that
include prolonged checking.
Movement
at Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing
17 –
23 March 2010
Date |
Patients |
Companions |
Arabs from Israel |
Diplomats |
International Journalists |
International Workers |
Travelers abroad |
Traders |
|
17 March 2010 |
31 |
31 |
1 |
2 |
Nil |
23 |
3 |
6 |
|
18 March 2010 |
44 |
45 |
6 |
8 |
8 |
70 |
14 |
4 |
|
19 March 2010 |
2 |
2 |
Nil |
5 |
6 |
6 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
20 March 2010 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
21 March 2010 |
37 |
36 |
1 |
Nil |
2 |
11 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
22 March 2010 |
35 |
32 |
2 |
Nil |
6 |
21 |
1 |
5 |
|
23 March 2010 |
44 |
45 |
2 |
7 |
4 |
32 |
Nil |
2 |
The
West Bank
Israel
has imposed a tightened siege on the West Bank. During the reporting period,
IOF imposed additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
· Jerusalem: IOF have continued to impose severe restrictions on
the movement of Palestinian civilians to and from the city. Thousands of
Palestinian civilians from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip have been denied
access to the city. IOF have established many checkpoints around and inside the
city. Restrictions of the movement of Palestinian civilians often escalate on
Fridays, preventing Muslim Palestinians from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque. On
Thursday evening, 18 March 2010, IOF began imposing increased restrictions on
the movement of Palestinians in the old city. According to eyewitnesses,
hundreds of Border Police officers established military checkpoints at the
entrances of the old city, on all of the streets inside the walls of the old
city, as well as on streets in the immediate vicinity. On Friday morning, 19 March 2010, Palestinians
under 50 years of age were not permitted to enter al-Aqsa Mosque. On
Saturday morning, 20 March 2010, IOF closed a checkpoint established at the
entrance of Shu’fat refugee camp, northeast of Jerusalem.
· Ramallah: IOF have
continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of the Palestinian
civilians in Ramallah. IOF troops positioned
at the Jaba’ and Qalandiya checkpoints, southeast of Ramallah, have imposed
additional restrictions on movement and conducted prolonged checks of
Palestinian civilians. During the
reporting period, IOF erected a number of temporary checkpoints, and stopped
and searched Palestinian civilian vehicles. At approximately 11:00 on Thursday, 18 March 2010, IOF established a
checkpoint near ‘Attara village, north of Ramallah. They stopped and searched Palestinian
civilian vehicles. At approximately
13:00 on Sunday, 21 March 2010, IOF established a checkpoint near Nabi Saleh
village, northwest of Ramallah, and stopped and searched Palestinian civilian
vehicles.
· Nablus: IOF have
continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians. On Saturday morning, 20 March
2010, Israeli troops stationed at Za’tara checkpoint, south of Nablus, imposed
additional restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians. On Sunday morning, 21 March 2010, Israeli
troops stationed at Huwarra checkpoint, south of Nablus, imposed additional
restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
· Hebron: IOF have
continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian
civilians. On Friday morning, 19 March
2010, IOF reinforced their presence in the vicinity of the Ibrahimi Mosque and
the old city in the south and center of Hebron. They raided a number of houses and turned them into temporary military
bases. At approximately 09:30 on
Saturday, 20 March 2010, IOF chased a number of Palestinian farmers and
international and Israeli solidarity activists and prevented them from reaching
agricultural lands located to the north of Safa village, north of Hebron,
claiming that the area was a closed military zone. Israeli troops also detained 3 Israeli
solidarity activists, as well as one
international, for several hours. At
approximately 07:00 on Monday, 22 March 2010, IOF established a checkpoint at
the Dura – al-Majd intersection, south of Hebron. They stopped and searched Palestinian
civilian vehicles.
Arrests
at Military Checkpoints
· On
Friday evening, 19 March 2010, Israeli troops arrested Bilal Mohammed Shawabka,
14, from al-Fawar refugee camp south of Hebron, when he was near “Beit
Hajai” settlement.
· At
approximately 13:00 on Saturday, 20 March 2010, Israeli troops stationed near
the Annexation Wall to the southwest of Beit ‘Awa village, southwest of Hebron,
arrested 4 Palestinian farmers who were on their land near the Wall:
1. Isma’il Mohammed al-Swaiti, 55;
2. Mohammed Zaidan al-Swaiti, 35;
3. Fawaz Faisal al-Swaiti, 22; and
4. Mansour Faisal al-Swaiti, 26.
· On
Saturday evening, 20 March 2010, Israeli troops stationed at a military
checkpoint at the entrance of Shu’fat refugee camp, northeast of Jerusalem,
arrested Ibtissam Mustafa Abu Dayah, 42.
4. Settlement Activities and Attacks by Settlers against Palestinian
Civilians and Property
Israel has continued its
settlement activities in the OPT in violation of international humanitarian
law, and Israeli settlers have continued to attack Palestinian civilians and
property.
· On
Thursday, 18 March 2010, the Israeli Municipality of Jerusalem approved a
construction plan in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. According to Israeli radio sources, licenses
were issued for the construction of 20 housing units for settlers.
· On
Thursday morning, 18 March 2010,
a number of Israeli settlers from “Elli”
settlement uprooted 25 olive trees belonging to Mohammed Jaber, Ahmed Jaber and
‘Abdul ‘Aziz Mardawi in Qaryout village, southeast of Nablus.
· At
approximately 21:00 on Friday, 19 March 2010, a number of Israeli settlers from
“Beit ‘Ain” settlement, north of Hebron, attempted to burn wooded
areas in Safa village. A number of trees
were burnt, but locals were eventually able to extinguish the fire.
· On
Sunday, 21 March 2010, the Israeli daily Ha’aretz reported that IOF declared a
plan to seize 49.2 donums of land in the town of Bitounia, west of Ramallah, to
implement new security arrangements on road #443 before opening it for
Palestinian movement two and a half months later. IOF plan to establish a checkpoint at Ofer
crossing, west of Ramallah, and Palestinian vehicles will be allowed to travel
on road #443 between Macavim checkpoint and the new checkpoint, in accordance
with an Israeli High Court ruling.
· On
Tuesday morning, 23 March 2010, Israeli settlers from the settlements of
“Elli”, “Shilo” and “Ma’ale Levoni” attacked
dozens of Palestinian farmers in Senjel village, north of Ramallah, and
prevented them from farming their lands. The settlers threw stones at the farmers and attempted to take over a
number of tractors. IOF arrived at the
area and closed it off.
…………………………………………………………
Recommendations to the International Community
1. PCHR
calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to
fulfill their legal and moral obligations under Article 1 of the Convention to
ensure Israel’s respect for the Convention in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory. PCHR believes that the
conspiracy of silence practiced by the international community has encouraged
Israel to act as if it is above the law and encourages Israel continue to
violate international human rights and humanitarian law.
2. PCHR
calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to
convene a conference to take effective steps to ensure Israel’s respect of the
Convention in the OPT and to provide immediate protection for Palestinian
civilians.
3. PCHR
calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to
comply with their legal obligations detailed in Article 146 of the Convention
to search for and prosecute those responsible for grave breaches, namely war
crimes.
4. PCHR
calls for the immediate implementation of the Advisory Opinion issued by the
International Court of Justice, which considers the construction of the
Annexation Wall inside the West Bank illegal.
5. PCHR
recommends that international civil society organizations, including human
rights organizations, bar associations and NGOs, participate in the process of
exposing those accused of grave breaches of international law and urge their governments to bring the
perpetrators to justice.
6. PCHR
calls upon the European Union to activate Article 2 of the Euro-Israel
Association Agreement, which provides that Israel must respect human rights as
a precondition for economic cooperation between the EU states and Israel. PCHR further calls upon the EU states to
prohibit import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the OPT.
7. PCHR
calls on the international community to recognize the Gaza disengagement plan,
which was implemented in September 2005, for what it is – not an end to
occupation but a compounding of the occupation and the humanitarian crisis in
the Gaza Strip.
8. In
recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls
upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the
facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
9. PCHR
appreciates the efforts of international civil society, including human rights
organizations, bar associations, unions and NGOs, and urges them to continue
their role in pressuring their governments to secure Israel’s respect for human
rights in the OPT and to demand Israel end its attacks on Palestinian
civilians.
10. PCHR calls upon the international
community to pressure Israel to lift the severe restrictions imposed by the
Israeli government and its occupation forces on access for international
organizations to the OPT.
11. PCHR reiterates that any political
settlement not based on international human rights law and humanitarian law
cannot lead to a peaceful and just solution of the Palestinian question. Rather, such an arrangement can only lead to
further suffering and instability in the region. Any peace process or agreement must be based
on respect for international law, including international human rights and
humanitarian law.
…………………………………………………………
Public Document
For further information please visit our website (www.pchrgaza.org) or contact PCHR’s office
in Gaza City, Gaza Strip by email ([email protected])
or telephone (+972 (0)8 282 4776 – 282 5893).